View full sizePelham High School sophomore Alex Ladewig with her father, David, view a map of a proposed sidewalk project during a public involvement meeting organized by the Alabama Department of Transportation on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013, at Riverpoint Church in Pelham. (Martin J. Reed / mreed@al.com)

PELHAM, Alabama -- A project to construct 1.5 miles of
sidewalks along Bearden Road leading from Pelham High School to the vicinity of
City Park has a projected completion date of sometime in 2015.

Pelham Mayor Gary Waters at the Alabama Department of
Transportation's public involvement meeting concerning the project Tuesday
evening said construction could begin next year. "Easement property acquisition
could start in December," he said.

The $1 million project that utilizes $800,000 in federal
funding and a $200,000 local match from the city entails a sidewalk along
Bearden Road and a section of Industrial Park Drive near Highway 31 in Pelham.

The project that started under the previous City Council
administration with former Mayor Don Murphy gained traction after a car struck
and injured Pelham High School student Tyler Lee in 2011. "Sometimes that's how
you get the ball rolling," Waters said.

Pelham High School sophomore Alex Ladewig, who attended
Tuesday's meeting with her father, David, said the sidewalks would help provide
a route for youth runners such as the cross-country team. "They have to run
along the side of the road," she said.

Others could benefit from the sidewalks, she added. "It
would be a place to run when you're not at school ... and it would help keep
people safe," she said.

Pelham resident Vince Cottone said the sidewalks would
boost safety along the heavily traveled route. "I worry more about the kids
running," he said.

According to the state department, the proposed sidewalk
would be 5 feet wide about 2 feet behind a curb and gutter on the roadway.
Traveling from Highway 31 to Industrial Drive and from Beaden Road to just past
Cross Creek Trail, the sidewalk would be on the right side of the roadway.

Continuing to travel along Bearden Road to Pelham High
School, the sidewalk would cross the roadway and be on the left side of the
street.

Shelby County is assisting with management of the project
for the city. "We are facilitating this on Pelham's behalf since we are
experienced in federal projects and since this runs primarily on a county road,"
Shelby County Engineer Randy Cole said.